10 noteworthy shows to see in June on Dayton stages

Exciting local premieres, including four musicals and a play based on a popular Western, are among the shows you should consider this month.

OCTETS

June 3-4, Dayton Metro Library

Originally produced at Miami University, this new musical by composer Nick Witzeman and librettist/lyricist Austin Lamewona concerns a bitter feud between rivals that sparks a turf war between two singing groups. 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Bassani Theater Off Third at Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St., Dayton. $8-$20. Call (937) 463-2665 or visit octetsmusical.com/donate.

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MOZART AND MAHLER

June 7-8, Schuster Center

DPO Principal Bassoon Rachael Young takes the spotlight to perform Mozart's Bassoon Concerto in B-flat major. Concert also includes Mahler's Symphony No. 1. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton. $9-$65. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE

June 7-23, Dayton Theatre Guild

Filmed by John Ford in 1962 starring John Wayne, James Stewart and Lee Marvin and adapted for the stage in 2014 by British playwright Jethro Compton, this classic tale of good versus evil is set in the Wild West circa 1890. 8 p.m. Fridays, 5 p.m. Saturdays (with the exception of the June 8 performance at 8 p.m.) and 3 p.m. Sundays at Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton. $13-$20. Call (937) 278-5993 or visit daytontheatreguild.org.

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NEWSIES

Through June 9, La Comedia Dinner Theatre

A heartfelt, energetic production of Alan Menken, Jack Feldman and Harvey Fierstein's musical about newsboys on strike in turn-of-the-century New York. 5:30 p.m. (arrival time) Thursday-Sunday and 10:30 a.m. (arrival time) Friday and Sunday at La Comedia Dinner Theatre, 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro. Call (937) 746-4554 or visit lacomedia.com.

20TH CENTURY BLUES

Through June 9, Dayton Playhouse

Young at Heart Players presents Susan Miller's dramedy about the joy and pitfalls concerning four women reuniting for an annual photo shoot. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton. $12-$15. Call (937) 654-0400 or youngatheartplayers.com.

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MIAMI VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE AWARDS SHOWCASE

June 11, Schuster Center

This special showcase celebrates achievements of schools, students and directors associated with the 2018-2019 Miami Valley High School Theatre Awards. Carroll High School's production of "Oklahoma!," Centerville High School's production of "Fiddler on the Roof" and Northmont High School's production of "Macbeth" are among the shows to be recognized as outstanding. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton. $10. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

LIZZIE

June 13-30, Human Race Theatre Company

Steven Cheslik-DeMyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt's rock musical concerns infamous Lizzie Borden, whose murderous escapades shocked 1892 New England. 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; and 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. $14-$42. Call (937) 278-5993 or visit humanracetheatre.org.

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ENCHANTED APRIL

June 20-23, First Lutheran Church

Undercroft Players presents Matthew Barber's adaptation of Elizabeth von Arnim's novel about frustrated World War II housewives renting an Italian villa to escape their bleak marriages. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at First Lutheran Church, 138 W. First St., Dayton. $5-$10. Visit undercroftplayers.weebly.com.

CABARET

June 21-30, Beavercreek Community Theatre

John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff's iconic musical chronicles life in 1920s Berlin as an American writer falls in love with a British singer. Songs include "Willkommen," "Two Ladies," "Mein Herr," and the title tune. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays at Beavercreek Community Theatre, 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek. $12-$15. Call (937) 429-4737 or visit bctheatre.org.

Credit: Victoria Theatre Association

Credit: Victoria Theatre Association

WAITRESS

June 25-30, Schuster Center

Inspired by Adrienne Shelly's film of the same name and composed by Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles, this Tony-nominated musical tells the story of a young woman and expert pie-maker who desires more than her small town and loveless marriage. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Schuster Center, Second and Main streets. $26-$99. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

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